Doctrine of Balaam
1. Balaam was an ungodly prophet who lived at Pethor, a city of Mesopotamia (Deut. 23:4).2. Although he was identified with the Midianites (Num. 31:8) Balaam possessed someknowledge of the true God. Balaam gave honor to the Lord for his prophetic gifts but in theend he was absorbed with himself.
Numbers 31:8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain;namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam alsothe son of Beor they slew with the sword.
3. In the year BC 1401, the Israelites encamped in the Plain of Moab. Balak, the king of Moab,united with the Midianites to drive the Israelites away. He wanted Balaam to curse theIsraelites for money.
Numbers 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor,which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold,there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and theyabide over against me:
4. Despite his initial apprehensions over the lawfulness of cursing the Israelites, Balaamdecided to speak whatever the Lord gave him. Balak agreed.5. Seven altars were prepared, upon each of which Balak and Balaam offered a bullock and aram. Three times Balaam started to speak against Israel and three times his cursing wereturned to words of blessing and magnificent prophecies.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shallcome a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite thecorners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
6. Realizing that he could not curse the Israelites, Balaam suggested that the Israelites be ledinto acts of sexual immorality (Num. 31:16). The results are recorded in Num. 25.
Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
7. Balaam's life came to an end when Balaam sided with the Midianites in a pitched battleagainst the Israelites.
Numbers 31:8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain;namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam alsothe son of Beor they slew with the sword.
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